News Release
April 8, 2005
Board Of Education Meeting Monday, April 11 To Consider Proposals To Operate Mitchell Elementary School
The Board of Education will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, April 11 in the Board Room at the DPS administration building, 900 Grant St., to hear presentations from three groups that have proposed new educational programs for Mitchell Elementary School.
To improve student achievement, Denver Public Schools solicited proposals for individuals or groups to operate Mitchell Elementary School beginning with the 2005-2006 school year (or as soon thereafter as practicable).
The request for proposals followed a February announcement by Superintendent Jerry Wartgow that Mitchell Elementary School would be redesigned. "I am committed to improving the academic rigor and student achievement levels at Mitchell Elementary School," he said. "An unsatisfactory rating is unacceptable to me, as I am sure it is to all of you. We can - and must - do better. It's that simple."
The District received proposals from three groups in response to the request for proposals:
1. Escuela Tlatelolco Montessori Elementary School - The Escuela Tlatelolco program proposes operating a Montessori program for students in grades pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. The district would operate the school during the 2005-2006 school year while the applicant prepares for Mitchell's conversion to a Montessori contract school beginning in the 2006-2007 school year.
2. Mitchell Village Academy - The Mitchell Village Academy proposal proposes a charter or contract school that would offer a Montessori program in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and as an International Baccalaureate program in grades 6-8. The school would begin operating in 2005-2006.
3. PACE Model: Parents, Accountability, Collaboration, Expectations - The PACE proposal would leverage existing DPS curriculum and exhibit the following characteristics: high expectations, collaboration, parent partnerships, leadership and accountability. The applicants propose hiring an administrator to operate an ECE - 6 district school beginning in 2005-2006. The school would phase in grades 7 and 8 in 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 respectively.
While not a formal proposal from an organization or group of individuals, the district also did receive an additional suggestion recommending that the district operate Mitchell Elementary School with an Expeditionary Learning program.
The Board is expected to make a decision on Thursday, April 21.
For more information, contact the DPS Communications Office at 720-423-3414.